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Enzyme-catalysed conjugations of glutathione with unsaturated compounds.

1. Rat-liver supernatant catalyses the reaction of diethyl maleate with glutathione. 2. Evidence is presented that the enzyme involved is different from the known glutathione-conjugating enzymes, glutathione S-alkyltransferase, S-aryltransferase and S-epoxidetransferase. 3. Rat-liver supernatant catalyses the reaction of a number of other alphabeta-unsaturated compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, lactones, nitriles and nitro compounds, with glutathione: separate enzymes may be responsible for these reactions.

Acids↗

Structural and mechanistic studies of Escherichia coli nitroreductase with the antibiotic nitrofurazone. Reversed binding orientations in different redox states of the enzyme.

The antibiotics nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin are used in the treatment of genitourinary infections and as topical antibacterial agents. Their action is dependent upon activation by bacterial nitroreductase flavoproteins, including the Escherichia coli nitroreductase (NTR). Here we show that the products of reduction of these antibiotics by NTR are the hydroxylamine derivatives. We show that the reduction of nitrosoaromatics is enzyme-catalyzed, with a specificity constant approximately 10,000-fold greater than that of the starting nitro compounds. This suggests that the reduction of nitro groups proceeds through two successive, enzyme-mediated reactions and explains why the nitroso intermediates are not observed. The global reaction rate for nitrofurazone determined in this study is over 10-fold higher than that previously reported, suggesting that the enzyme is much more active toward nitroaromatics than previously estimated. Surprisingly, in the crystal structure of the oxidized NTR-nitrofurazone complex, nitrofurazone is oriented with its amide group, rather than the nitro group to be reduced, positioned over the reactive N5 of the FMN cofactor. Free acetate, which acts as a competitive inhibitor with respect to NADH, binds in a similar orientation. We infer that the orientation of bound nitrofurazone depends upon the redox state of the enzyme. We propose that the charge distribution on the FMN rings, which alters upon reduction, is an important determinant of substrate binding and reactivity in flavoproteins with broad substrate specificity.

Acetates↗

Nitroarenes in Suimon River sediment.

Mutagenic activity was observed in sediments of the Suimon River bed with and without S9 mix. The direct-acting mutagens in the sediment were investigated. The sediment was extracted with methanol and fractionated on a Silica gel column. The benzene fraction from the Silica gel column exhibited mutagenic activity without S9 mix in strain TA98, while it failed to show mutagenic activity in nitroreductase-deficient strain TA98NR. This observation led to the suspicion that nitro compounds were the direct-acting mutagens of these samples. The benzene fraction was treated by heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) and investigated with gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). 2-Nitrofluorene, 4,4'-dinitrobiphenyl, 2,7-dinitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene were detected and measured quantitatively. The mutagenic activity of a mixture of these compounds was compared with that of the original fraction and the direct-acting mutagenicity of Suimon River sediment can be explained by these nitroarenes, especially 1-nitropyrene.

Animals↗

Clinical localization of tubular transport of exogenous substances exhibiting urine flow dependence excretion.

The proposed method is based on the assumption that a fluid flow dependent tubular transport process in the distal (diluting) segment of the nephron can be influenced by water diuresis as well as osmotic diuresis. If the fluid flow dependent transport process is localized in the proximal part of the nephron only, the urinary excretion of such a substance can be increased by proximal osmotic diuresis but not by water diuresis. By means of this method the localization of fluid flow dependent tubular transport processes of chloramphenicol and its metabolites (arylamines and total nitro compounds) has been studied in 17 healthy volunteers. The results indicate that the flow dependent transport processes of substances under study may be localized in the diluting segment.

Adult↗

Inhibitory actions of various vasorelaxants on the myogenic contraction induced by quick stretch studied in canine cerebral artery.

Quick stretch at a rate of 10 cm/s with the amount of 30% of the initial muscle length (= 100%) produced a myogenic contraction in canine cerebral artery. The inhibitory actions of various vasorelaxants on the stretch-induced contraction were investigated. Ca2+ channel blockers (nicardipine, D-cis-diltiazem) inhibited the stretch-induced contraction by 50-60% at the concentrations which abolished high KCl-induced contraction. Inhibitions of the stretch-induced contraction by nitro-compounds (nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside) were about 50%. In contrast, inhibitions by the compounds which activate ATP-sensitive K+ channels (cromakalim, nicorandil, pinacidil) of the myogenic contraction in response to quick stretch were only 20%. Papaverine totally abolished the stretch-induced contraction. It is likely that all the vasorelaxant compounds tested in the present study except papaverine are beneficial in the sense that they do not suppress the intrinsic myogenic contraction, which may be related to the autoregulation of local blood flow.

Animals↗

Toxicological guidelines for monocyclic nitro-, amino- and aminonitroaromatics, nitramines, and nitrate esters in drinking water.

In order to secure a safe drinking water supply, the setting of tolerable/acceptable ceilings of drinking water hygiene is required with regard to xenobiotics resulting from several anthropogenic impacts. This is done in practice by using drinking water guidelines or standards as quantitative objectives. The list of the new EU Directive or the German drinking-water standards is limited to those parameters that have the highest relevance for drinking water quality; nitro compounds (NCs) are not regulated. Because other substances contained in water can also represent a hazard for human health, the German Drinking Water Ordinance clarifies that specific actions must be implemented if compounds other than those regulated appear at concentrations that may be a cause for concern regarding human health. NCs serve as intermediates for dyes, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic materials; they themselves are used as solvents, explosives, and pesticides. During their commercial production or from their use, they may be released to the environment and lead to a contamination of aquatic systems and thus also of drinking water resources. In practice, therefore, a need for assessment is frequently given for relevant NCs. For 19 nitro-, amino-, and aminonitroaromatics, nitramines, and nitrate esters health-based drinking water guide values have been derived. For toxicological evaluation and derivation of guideline values for the NCs of interest, the tolerable daily intake approach was used for chemicals exhibiting a threshold for toxic effects. This was done by using established tolerable body doses for humans based on an identified no-observed-adverse-effect level/low-observed-effect-level for the most sensitive indicator for toxicity. In the case of nonthreshold chemical substances, suitable estimates of excess lifetime cancer risk have been applied.

Databases, Factual↗

Structure-activity relationships in the development of hypoxic cell radiosensitizers. I. Sensitization efficiency.

The efficiency of 35 nitroaromatic and nitroheterocyclic compounds in radiosensitizing hypoxic Chinese Hamster cells in vitro was determined. The concentration C of the compound required to achieve an enhancement ratio of 1.6 was measured, and the redox and partition properties were quantified as the one-electron reduction potential at pH 7, E, and the octanol: water partition coefficient, P, respectively. Most of the compounds studied were 2-nitroimidazoles, but some 4- and 5-nitromidazoles, 5-nitrofurans and nitrobenzenes were investigated for comparison. Together with data for nine nitroimidazoles previously reported, the results were fitted to a structure-activity relationship of the form -log C = b0 + b1E + b2 log P + b3 (log P)2 using multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical tests showed that the coefficients b2 and b3 were not significantly different from zero and the simpler equation, obtained by omitting the terms in log P, explained 85 per cent of the variance in log C. Earlier reports that the radiosensitization efficiency of nitro compounds in vitro largely depends on the reduction potential were confirmed. The conclusive demonstration that P is unimportant in vitro is valuable in interpreting the results of experiments in vivo, where P is expected to have a much greater influence on biological response.

Animals↗

Antibacterial activities of nitrothiazole derivatives.

A new group of chemical agents with pronounced antibacterial activities is presented. Different nitrothiazole derivatives, but not all, exhibit antibacterial activities similar to that of niridazole (AmbilharR), a nitrothiazolyl-imidazolidinone. Certain aerobic bacteria are moderately susceptible to these agents. The efficacy of these agents is almost comparable to that of ampicillin and tetracyline. It is much better than the efficacy of nitrofuran derivatives, the nitroimidazole derivatives being inactive. The mode of action of the nitrothiazole derivatives is bactericidal. Against anaerobic bacteria the nitrothiazole derivatives are unique, since the extremely low MIC's are not approached by any other of the nitro-compounds nor by any other of the common antibiotics tested, such as clindamycin, ampicillin and tetracycline. It is suggested that the nitrogroup of the nitrothiazole ring moiety represents the chemical structure responsible for their excellent antibacterial activities.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[The effect of sodium nitroprusside and nitro-containing vasodilators on rat liver microsomal mono-oxygenases].

It has been shown in vitro that sodium nitroprusside (SN) causes a concentration-dependent suppression of the enzymatic activity of aminopyridine demethylase-APDM(IC50 = 1.86 x 10(-4) M) and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase-ECOD(IC50 = 1.46 x 10(-4) M) in hepatic microsomes of Wistar rats, which is related to different isoforms of cytochrome P-450. The inhibiting effect of other nitro compounds (nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate) in relation to APDM is less marked than that of SN. These compounds have practically no effect on ECOD activity. It is assumed that the degree of the inhibiting effect of SN, nitroglycerin, and isosorbide dinitrate is connected with the mechanism of NO release.

Animals↗

Mechanism of nitrification by Arthrobacter sp.

Resting cells of Arthrobacter sp. excrete as much as 60 mug of hydroxylamine-nitrogen per ml when supplied with ammonium. An organic carbon source in abundant supply is necessary for the oxidation. Resting cells oxidize hydroxylamine to nitrite and 1-nitrosoethanol, the former accumulating only when an exogenous carbon source is available. Cell-free extracts contain an enzyme catalyzing the formation of hydroxylamine from acetohydroxamic acid, a hydroxylamine-nitrite oxido-reductase, and an enzyme producing nitrite and nitrate from various primary nitro compounds. Nitrite is not produced from hydroxylamine by the extracts, but 1-nitrosoethanol is formed from hydroxylamine in the presence of acetate. 1-Nitrosoethanol is also produced from acetohydroxamic acid by these preparations. Nitrite was formed from hydroxylamine, however, by extracellular enzymes excreted by the bacterium.

Acetates↗

The influence of ethacrynic acid, hydrochlorothiazide and clopamide on the renal excretion of chloramphenicol and its metabolites.

Simultaneous administration of chloramphenicol (1 g orally) and ethacrynic acid (150 mg orally), hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg orally) or clopamide (40 mg orally) increased the urinary excretion of chloramphenicol and its metabolites (aryl amines and total nitro compounds). The administration of diuretics did not change the time course of serum concentrations of substances under study. Since the urinary excretion of chloramphenicol and its metabolites is a urine flow-dependent process, the influence of the tested diuretics can be explained as a consequence of decreased tubular water reabsorption.

Adult↗

Characterization of a mitochondrial NADH-dependent nitro reductase from rat brain.

Rat brain mitochondria contain an NADH-linked nitro reductase that converts various aromatic nitro compounds, including the anti-schistosomal agent niridazole, into the hydroxylamine metabolites. The enzyme is tightly bound to the inner membrane and its activity is measurable only after disrupting the mitochondria. Triton X-100 (1%) and sonication partially solubilize the enzyme. The molecular weight determined by gel filtration is approx. 200 000. The temperature optima for the membrane-bound and for the solubilized enzyme are at 35 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The pH optimum for the membrane-bound enzyme is 9.2. NAD+ and 4-hydroxymercuribenzoate decrease the enzyme activity. Oxygen, carbon monoxide, cyanide, rotenone, barbiturates, chlorpromazine, dicumarol and chelating agents have no effect on the activity. The subcellular localization, substrate specificity and sensitivity to inhibitors distinguish the mitochondrial nitro reductase from the corresponding microsomal and cytosolic enzymes.

Animals↗

Novel metabolism of nitrogen in plants.

Our previous study showed that approximately one-third of the nitrogen of 15N-labeled NO2 taken up into plants was converted to a previously unknown organic nitrogen (hereafter designated UN) that was not recoverable by the Kjeldahl method (Morikawa et al., 2004). In this communication, we discuss metabolic and physiological relevance of the UN based on our newest experimental results. All of the 12 plant species were found to form UN derived from NO2 (about 10-30% of the total nitrogen derived from NO2). The UN was formed also from nitrate nitrogen in various plant species. Thus, UN is a common metabolite in plants. The amount of UN derived from NO2 was greatly increased in the transgenic tobacco clone 271 (Vaucheret et al., 1992) where the activity of nitrite reductase is suppressed less than 5% of that of the wild-type plant. On the other hand, the amount of this UN was significantly decreased by the overexpression of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). These findings strongly suggest that nitrite and other reactive nitrogen species are involved in the formation of the UN, and that the UN-bearing compounds are metabolizable. A metabolic scheme for the formation of UN-bearing compounds was proposed, in which nitric oxide and peroxynitrite derived from NO2 or endogenous nitrogen oxides are involved for nitrosation and/or nitration of organic compounds in the cells to form nitroso and nitro compounds, including N-nitroso and S-nitroso ones. Participation of non-symbiotic haemoglobin bearing peroxidase-like activity (Sakamoto et al., 2004) and GSNOR (Sakamoto et al., 2002) in the metabolism of the UN was discussed. The UN-bearing compounds identified to date in the extracts of the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana fumigated with NO2 include a delta2-1,2,3-thiadiazoline derivative (Miyawaki et al., 2004) and 4-nitro-beta-carotene.

Arabidopsis↗

Transition of nitro musks and polycyclic musks into human milk.

Synthetic musks are widely used in various consumer products. The identification of nitro musks in human milk in the early 1990s in connection with evidence for cancerogenicity in animal experiments have caused public concern. However, the validity of previously reported quantitative data has been questioned. Polycylic musks have hardly been investigated so far. The present study aimed at providing accurate current data on the occurrence of nitro and polycyclic musks in human milk. Samples from 40 healthy breast feeding mothers were analysed under carefully controlled conditions avoiding secondary contamination. As in earlier studies, among the nitro compounds musk xylene and ketone were the most frequently detected substances. However, much lower concentrations (roughly by a factor of 10) were found (musk xylene: median 6.1 ng/kg fat). Among the polycylic musks HHCB was found in most samples (median 64 ng/kg fat). Scientific knowledge on possible routes of exposure and health risk aspects is summarized and discussed.

Adult↗

Chloramphenicol disposition in infants and children.

We studied the pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol following its intravenous administration as the sodium succinate ester to 54 infants and children. The mean "apparent t 1/2" of chloramphenicol clearance from the plasma was 5.94 hours (range 0.87 to 17.8 hours). The t 1/2 of patients who weighed less than 10 kg was significantly longer than that of those who weighed more than 10 kg (9.02 vs 4.55 hours; P less than 0.0001). There was a discrepancy between the plasma levels of chloramphenicol and total aromatic nitro compounds in four patients; these compounds were cleared at different rates. Repeated dosing (eight to 30 doses) did not produce a consistent effect on the t 1/2. The CSF concentrations of chloramphenicol in 13 patients were 67% (range 45 to 99%) of the simultaneous serum concentrations. We conclude that the marked individual variation in chloramphenicol pharmacokinetics in infants and children requires monitoring of blood concentrations during therapy.

Age Factors↗

Studies on the metabolism and biological effects of nitropyrene and related nitro-polycyclic aromatic compounds in diploid human fibroblasts.

Nitro derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced primarily as the result of incomplete combustion. Nitropyrenes have been identified as primary mutagenic compounds of diesel emission particulate and are tumorigenic in laboratory animals. Since nitropyrenes do not react directly with DNA, their effects presumably are mediated through cellular conversion of the parent compounds into reactive species. For example, 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) is activated by enzymatic reduction to 1-nitrosopyrene (1-NOP), followed by reduction to the hydroxylamine, which undergoes decomposition to yield a nitrenium ion, that reacts with DNA. The cytotoxic effects of 1-nitropyrene and 1-nitrosopyrene were compared in fibroblasts from normal persons, from excision-repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients, and from a patient with an inherited predisposition to malignant melanoma of the skin (hereditary cutaneous malignant melanoma [HCMM]). HCMM cells are more sensitive than normal cells to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, and they form more DNA adducts per concentration of this agent than do normal cells. However, the HCMM cells exhibit the same sensitivity as normal cells to 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide, which suggests they are more capable than normal cells of metabolizing the parent compound into a more reactive form. On the basis of concentration, 1-NOP was much more cytotoxic than 1-NP. With both compounds, the normal cells exhibited a shoulder on their survival curves that was lacking for the XP cells. The dose of 1-NP giving 37% survival was 46 microM for a series of four normal cell lines, 22 microM for the HCMM cell line tested, and 12 microM for the XP cell line. The slope of the 1-nitropyrene survival curve for XP cells was 2.5 times steeper than the slope of the curve of the normal cells; the slope of the 1-NP survival curve for the HCMM cells was intermediate between the XP cells and the normal fibroblasts. The slope of the 1-nitrosopyrene survival curve for XP cells was also 2.5 times steeper than that for the normal cells, but the HCMM cells showed a normal response. If the resistance of normal cells to the cytotoxic effect of these compounds reflects their ability to remove potentially cytotoxic adducts from their DNA before these lesions cause cell death, normal cells should require a higher initial number of DNA adducts than XP cells do to cause a particular degree of cell killing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Carcinogenicity Tests↗

Inhibition of glycolysis of mammalian cells by misonidazole and other radiosensitizing drugs. prevention by thiols.

Prolonged anaerobic incubation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and Chinese hamster V79-379A cells with misonidazole, desmethylmisonidazole, or niridazole led to inhibition of both glucose consumption and lactate formation. This effect was measured in cells washed free of the nitro compounds and resuspended in fresh buffer or medium. The degree of inhibition of glucose utilization was related to drug concentration, and to the rate of metabolic reduction, as measured under aerobic conditions by KCN-insensitive oxygen consumption. Misonidazole-induced inhibition of glycolysis developed concurrently with depletion of intracellular non-protein thiol (NPSH) and was protected against by the presence of cysteamine, cysteine and, to some extent, GSH in the cell incubate. These findings suggest diethyl maleate was used to deplete 90% of the endogenous NPSH, but this depletion did not alter the effects of misonidazole on glycolysis.

Anaerobiosis↗

Nitrofurantoin inhibition of mouse liver mitochondrial respiration involving NAD-linked substrates.

In our study, nitrofurantoin (NF) and nitrofurazone (NZ) inhibited respiration of isolated mouse (C57B/6J, adult, male) liver mitochondria. Other aromatic nitro compounds, nitroimidazole, metronidazole, and p-nitrobenzoic acid, did not have any significant effect. The primary site of activity for NF was complex I NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase mediated respiration, since only complex I substrates, glutamate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and alpha-ketoglutarate-mediated respiration were decreased. Respiration supported by succinate, a complex II substrate, was not affected by any of the compounds. NF at a concentration of 50 microM decreased state 3 and dinitrophenol-uncoupled respiration to 28 +/- 1 and 25 +/- 5% of control, respectively, of mitochondria oxidizing glutamate. Studies with mitoplasts oxidizing glutamate showed that NF inhibited both state 3 and 4 respiration. The inhibition of state 3 was prevented by the simultaneous addition of superoxide dismutase (240 micrograms/ml) and catalase (200 micrograms/ml). These results suggest that the mitochondrion, in particular complex I of the electron transport system, is a target for NF toxicity. The effect on respiration may be mediated by NF redox cycling and the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates resulting in the interference of electron flow.

Animals↗